Gaming Industry Mourns Loss of Vince Zampella

The gaming community is mourning the loss of Vince Zampella, co-creator of the Call of Duty franchise, who tragically died in a car crash on December 21, 2025. According to Engadget, the accident occurred around 12:45 p.m. in the San Gabriel Mountains near Los Angeles, involving a single-vehicle incident that resulted in his vehicle veering off the road and hitting a concrete barrier, subsequently catching fire.

Zampella, 55, was a pioneer in the gaming industry, having co-founded Infinity Ward, which developed the early Call of Duty titles, and later Respawn Entertainment, known for Titanfall and Apex Legends.

Electronic Arts, his employer, issued a heartfelt statement expressing profound sorrow over his death, recognizing Zampella's significant impact on modern interactive entertainment and his legacy that will inspire future generations of players and developers.

E! Online reported similar sentiments, highlighting the immense loss felt across the gaming world as Zampella's contributions shaped not only popular franchises but also the very nature of how games are developed and enjoyed.